Pittsburg City Commission meeting recap – Aug. 25, 2020

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken during the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on August 25, 2020:

Public Input:

• William Strenth asked questions regarding the Silverback Landing development.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The August 11, 2020 City Commission Meeting Minutes.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending August 25, 2020, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Special Presentation:

• SILVERBACK LANDING PROJECT UPDATE – Mickey Vena with P&L Development shared a progress update on the Silverback Landing housing development. Vena announced that he pulled a permit for two houses and hopes to begin construction on 10 – 11 new homes in September. Home models will be 1,600 – 1,800 square feet in size, have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and feature two- and three-car garages. The homes will also be equipped with a sprinkler system in the lawn. The base price of the homes will be in the $240,000 – $280,000 price range. Buyers will be able to customize homes and add upgrades as desired, in partnership with their own builder or with P&L Development’s builder. P&L Development will allow other builders to acquire lots and build homes subject to architectural review in order to retain the character of the community. Phase one has 60 lots and will include park space. A swimming pool will be added as part of phase two.

Commissioners approved the following items on the agenda:

• FIXED ASSET POLICY – Commissioners voted to approve the staff recommendation to adopt a City Fixed Asset Policy. The City has been following the policy but needed to formalize it at the suggestion of its auditors.
• ORDINANCE NO. S-1072 – STREET SALES TAX SPECIAL ELECTION – Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. S-1072 calling for a Special Election to be held on October 6, 2020, to renew the city’s street maintenance sales tax. If voters approve, the city would combine the two existing quarter-cent sales taxes for street maintenance into one half-cent sales tax, beginning in April, 2021 and lasting for a period of 10 years. The half-cent sales tax would include one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) annually to pay for a sidewalk repair matching fund for property owners. If voters approve this program, the city will continue the same level of funding moving forward. This will not result in a tax increase.

Non-Agenda:

• City Deputy Finance Director Larissa Bowman announced that June’s sales tax collections have been received and revenues are up 2.7 percent from June 2019, despite the pandemic. Bowman said there’s a substantial increase in revenues from the use tax, which is making up for any local sales tax shortfalls.
• Upon Commissioner Fields’ recommendation, the City discussed revising the city’s code book. City Manager Daron Hall said the City would look into gathering feedback from local contractors and community members on how to make the building codes and permitting process more efficient.

City Commission Meetings:

The Pittsburg City Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm, inside the Beard-Shanks Law Enforcement Center courtroom.

City commission meetings are broadcast live on the City’s local government access channels (Cox channel 6 and Craw-Kan channel 406) and on YouTube. To subscribe to the City’s YouTube channel, go to www.pittks.org/youtube. To learn more about the Pittsburg city government, city commissioners, or to view meeting agendas and minutes, visit pittks.org/city-government/city-commission.

###

The mission of the City of Pittsburg is to provide exceptional services, facilities and activities with integrity, professionalism, excellent customer service and a commitment to economic vitality.